T5 vs. VHO

[reef321]

Which would be better for a mostly LPS tank, 4x24 watt. T5 or 2x65 Watt. VHO?
I already have 2x65 Watt. VHO on a 30g. but i'm starting a 55g. and was going to add one of those with the VHO I already have.

 

[jadeguppy]

You can fit more t5 with individual reflectors over the tank and they last twice as long as vho. Why 24watt? 4' t5 bulbs are 54 watts (or close to that). Four or five will fit over a standard 55g. As to color, the only bonus to vho is that some people rave about the actinic.

 

[JM68]

I use VHOs, but u can overdrive T5s if u use Icecap 660 Ballasts and get about 80-85w out of 54w bulbs. I chose VHOs for the color though.

 

[reef321]

I'd use the 24 watts. 'cause i already have the other VHO's and the 54 watts. won't fit on the tank with them.

 

[jadeguppy]

??? I can't visualize what you are describing. 24 watt and 54 are the same width, only different length. How are you planning to install them? if I remember corectly, each reflector is 2.5 to 3" wide.

 

[reef321]

I'd put both 24" together to make 48". i might try to get the 48" and put the 24" in front of or behind it, but i don't think it would fit all the way on.

 

[Justin74]

Is this a bowfront or something? A picture, diagram, or at least the measurements your working with would be a big help. I see others getting lost in translation including myself. It gets more confusing as you add information not originally included. You begin saying you have (2)65w already. Then later comment you want to go with the 24" because you have the VHO and 54w already? But might squeeze in another 24"?

Getting (2)24" end to end makes no sense when you can just use (1) 48" T5. Plus, by putting 2 end to end like that your losing at least 6" due to end to end endcaps anyway. Jadeguppy is correct in saying all T5's are the same width, so if you can fit a 24" in there you can fit a 36", 48", and 60.

-Justin